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There were some whispers about the Nikon 1 J2 all too recently, and here we are with the Nikon 1 J2 which is a minor step up from a camera that was more or less hailed across the board as one of the less impressive ILC options – for a Nikon, that is. With the Nikon 1 J2, it is more or less a makeover despite being similar in size to the J1. It will come with a similar 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor that is 1″ in size, with the very same autofocus system while offering the ability to support the same lens collection. There must be something new to the Nikon 1 J2 though, and we are talking about additions being introduced to the Mode Selector dial, which definitely introduces a bunch of creative options and access to P/S/A/M exposure modes.

The back LCD has also seen its resolution double, making it 921,000 dots just like the Nikon D4, while the camera has been intelligently designed in a way that it will turn on whenever it extends a 1 Series lens out, while it turns off when retracting it into storage. Expect the Nikon 1 J2 to ship later this September for $549.95 a pop, coming with a 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens which accompanied the J1 as well. [Press Release]

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Not even a year after Nikon ceremoniously entered the mirrorless world, it’s issuing the followup to the J1: it’s the Nikon 1 J2, and it’s — at most — a gentle revision to a camera that was near-universally hailed as being one of the more disappointing ILC options. Disappointing, of course, because it’s Nikon. A company that quite clearly knows a thing or two about photography (D3S / D4, anyone?), but seemed to miss the mark in terms of price, performance and lens compatibility. With the J2, it sort of feels like a do-over. Outside of a slightly tweaked orange color and a reimagined exterior finish, the J2 is identical in size to the J1. You’ll find the same 10.1 megapixel CMOS sensor (1-inch), the same autofocus system and support for the same lens collection. What’s new are the additions to the Mode Selector dial, which add a smattering of creative options and access to P/S/A/M exposure modes. The rear LCD has seen its resolution double (to 921,000 dots, same as on the D4), and the camera has been intelligently designed to turn on when extending a 1 Series lens out, and turn off when retracting it into storage.

Perhaps most importantly, Nikon’s finally on the same playing field in terms of asking price. The J2 will ship in September for $549.95, and that includes the same 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens that shipped with the J1. If you’ll recall, the J1 kit started at $100 more, yet offered far less punch than Sony’s cheaper NEX-C3. It’s also worth noting that one other player has joined the ILC movement since the J1: Canon. Arguably, the EOS M still beats the J2 in practically every way; the thing that really needed an overhaul in the J2 was the meager 1-inch sensor, yet it remains. Perhaps the best news out of this ordeal is that the J1 isn’t immediately going away. Nikon confirmed that it’d remain on store shelves for an undetermined amount of time, likely at a nice discount. If it’s offered low enough, it may be easier to live with the shortcomings.

In terms of accessories, Nikon’s also introducing an optional 11-27.5mm f/3.5-5.6 lens ($189.95; ships next month) for the 1 Series. Though similar (on paper) to the 10-30mm kit lens, this guy is nearly 30 percent smaller from a physical size and weight standpoint. And on the other extreme, there’s the WP-N1 waterproof case. This one’s engineered to encase both the J1 and J2 for beneath-the-sea action up to 140 feet deep, but the staggering $749.95 (!) price tag is bound to attract jeers, chuckles and blank stares. Now, underwater cases of merit aren’t ever “affordable,” but offering an enclosure that’s a full $200 more than the hardware it protects? Questionable. That said, we’d certainly relish the chance to test one out, but you best be sure that Nikon’s J1 / J2 is going to be your underwater cam of choice for a long while before plunking down that much coin.

Continue reading Nikon 1 J2 mirrorless camera: minor control tweaks, $549, ships in September

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Nikon 1 J2 mirrorless camera: minor control tweaks, $549, ships in September originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thanks to alleged leaked images, it seems that Nikon might be planning to launch the successor of their mirrorless camera system, the Nikon 1 J2 (which is the successor of the J1, for those wondering). If you’ve seen the Nikon 1 J1 before, then you might be wondering why on earth does the J2 look so similar. Assuming these photos are legit, and if the rumors are to be believed, it seems that Nikon only has plans to do a minor refresh of the J1 which resulted in the J2. We’re not sure what sort of changes have been made, but if these photos are indeed that of the J2, it is safe to assume that the changes will probably be under the hood as opposed to being aesthetic ones. Accompanying the leaked photos of the J2 is the Nikon 11-27.5mm f/3.5-5.6 lens. Not much else is known i.e. release date and pricing, but hopefully we will be able to confirm these rumors in the near future. Until then, stay tuned.

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